LAS VEGAS (KSNV MyNews3.com) – The head of Nevada’s system of higher education says he knows southern Nevadans are unhappy with numbers that show a disproportionate amount of money is geared toward the University of Nevada-Reno and other northern colleges.

Chancellor Dan Klaich says the system is working to equalize funding among the two universities and colleges.

“For decades, the UNR was seen as the preeminent institution and UNLV was sort of a stepsister,” says former Las Vegas Mayor and current Caesars Entertainment executive Jan Jones.

Brookings Institution West Director Robert Lang says legislators have long-ignored a 1968 mandate that UNR and UNLV should be equal in every way. He and others lay out a case that there is no equity where education dollars are concerned.

But legislators and others based in the north reveal a different story -- from Gov. Brian Sandoval (“There’s no conspiracy here.”) to state Sen. Debbie Smith (“I have NEVER done anything that favors my end of the state. NEVER!”)